Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2015/03/flu-scan-mar-13-2015
Flu Scan for Mar 13, 2015
US flu still holding on; H5N1 death in China
Filed Under:
Influenza, General; Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Stubborn flu season lingers, with flu B rising The US flu season continues to overstay its annual visit, with influenza B detections rising and overall levels remaining elevated for the 16th week in a row, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today. The previous 13 flu seasons have lasted an average of 13 weeks.
Some flu markers declined last week, with the percentage of clinic visits for flulike illness falling slightly, from 2.5% to 2.4%, a level still above the national baseline. The number of states reporting geographically widespread flu decreased by three states to nine last week.
However, some measures of flu activity rose slightly, including the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for flu. Also, the percentage of overall deaths from pneumonia popped above the epidemic threshold again.
Hospitalization rates also continue to rise, reaching 55.7 per 100,000 population for all ages and hitting 277.9 per 100,000 for those ages 65 and older. That number for seniors is the highest ever recorded since the CDC started tracking the rate in 2005.
Seven more pediatric flu deaths were reported to the CDC last week, raising the season's total to 104.
Though H3N2 viruses have been dominating this season, especially the drifted strain, influenza B positives last week made up 52% of specimens, with flu B predominating in 5 of 10 CDC regions, mostly in southern states and the Midwest. A late-season influenza B surge is common
Mar 13 CDC FluView
[h=3]China reports its 2nd H5N1 case this year[/h] A 46-year-old man who recently died in Sichuan province in central China had contracted H5N1 avian flu, the country's second case this year, according to a statement today from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP).
The man is a poultry worker from Suining who developed a cough and fever on Feb 18. He was admitted to a local hospital Feb 21 and died Feb 27. Lab testing on a medical specimen came back positive for H5N1, the CHP said.
"Locally, we will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments," said a spokesman for Hong Kong's Department of Health.
Mar 13 CHP statement
Flu Scan for Mar 13, 2015
US flu still holding on; H5N1 death in China
Filed Under:
Influenza, General; Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Stubborn flu season lingers, with flu B rising The US flu season continues to overstay its annual visit, with influenza B detections rising and overall levels remaining elevated for the 16th week in a row, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today. The previous 13 flu seasons have lasted an average of 13 weeks.
Some flu markers declined last week, with the percentage of clinic visits for flulike illness falling slightly, from 2.5% to 2.4%, a level still above the national baseline. The number of states reporting geographically widespread flu decreased by three states to nine last week.
However, some measures of flu activity rose slightly, including the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for flu. Also, the percentage of overall deaths from pneumonia popped above the epidemic threshold again.
Hospitalization rates also continue to rise, reaching 55.7 per 100,000 population for all ages and hitting 277.9 per 100,000 for those ages 65 and older. That number for seniors is the highest ever recorded since the CDC started tracking the rate in 2005.
Seven more pediatric flu deaths were reported to the CDC last week, raising the season's total to 104.
Though H3N2 viruses have been dominating this season, especially the drifted strain, influenza B positives last week made up 52% of specimens, with flu B predominating in 5 of 10 CDC regions, mostly in southern states and the Midwest. A late-season influenza B surge is common
Mar 13 CDC FluView
[h=3]China reports its 2nd H5N1 case this year[/h] A 46-year-old man who recently died in Sichuan province in central China had contracted H5N1 avian flu, the country's second case this year, according to a statement today from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP).
The man is a poultry worker from Suining who developed a cough and fever on Feb 18. He was admitted to a local hospital Feb 21 and died Feb 27. Lab testing on a medical specimen came back positive for H5N1, the CHP said.
"Locally, we will remain vigilant and work closely with the World Health Organization and relevant health authorities to monitor the latest developments," said a spokesman for Hong Kong's Department of Health.
Mar 13 CHP statement